It's about time. I live in the Bay Area (ground zero of NIMBYism), and I'm from Europe where these housing laws would be considered crazier than US gun laws. I grew up in a large home surrounded by townhomes and apartments; when we sold it, a developer converted it into 6 apartments. No one bat an eye. Single family zoning or separation between commercial and residential don't exist. The ONLY reason why they were created in America a century ago is RACISM / ELITISM. They're dumb as hell, they make it impossible to walk/bike anywhere, they force you to drive forever to do anything, get stuck in commute cause everyone is driving in and from the same place, they're awful for the ENVIRONMENT, but also for physical and mental health (less walking, more physical and psychological isolation). And worse of all they are 99% responsible for the unaffordability of housing. NIMBYs represent everything that is wrong with America: selfishness, entitlement and dishonesty. It's insane the idea of imposing what others can do on THEIR property, that people can exclude others from getting access to land because they got there first, or treating as an attack on human rights if someone builds a 2 story home or a duplex. It's the haves attacking the have nots. Imagine if the same was done for healthcare, food, etc. For people caring about the environment or social justice and for progressives in general, this should be one of the most important fights. Instead there are many that claim to be part of those groups that actually side with NIMBYs.
It's about time. I live in the Bay Area (ground zero of NIMBYism), and I'm from Europe where these housing laws would be considered crazier than US gun laws. I grew up in a large home surrounded by townhomes and apartments; when we sold it, a developer converted it into 6 apartments. No one bat an eye. Single family zoning or separation between commercial and residential don't exist. The ONLY reason why they were created in America a century ago is RACISM / ELITISM. They're dumb as hell, they make it impossible to walk/bike anywhere, they force you to drive forever to do anything, get stuck in commute cause everyone is driving in and from the same place, they're awful for the ENVIRONMENT, but also for physical and mental health (less walking, more physical and psychological isolation). And worse of all they are 99% responsible for the unaffordability of housing. NIMBYs represent everything that is wrong with America: selfishness, entitlement and dishonesty. It's insane the idea of imposing what others can do on THEIR property, that people can exclude others from getting access to land because they got there first, or treating as an attack on human rights if someone builds a 2 story home or a duplex. It's the haves attacking the have nots. Imagine if the same was done for healthcare, food, etc. For people caring about the environment or social justice and for progressives in general, this should be one of the most important fights. Instead there are many that claim to be part of those groups that actually side with NIMBYs.
Sharing.